The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging all sides
to respect humanitarian law in Afghanistan, noting there have been at
least 250 civilian casualties in attacks since July 4.
The head
of ICRC's delegation in Kabul, Franz Rauchenstein Wednesday released a
statement calling on all parties in the conflict to distinguish at all
times between civilians and fighters and to take constant care to spare
civilians.
Red Cross officials say civilians should never be targeted, unless they are taking a direct part in fighting.
The
Red Cross also says it is concerned about the reportedly high number of
civilian casualties resulting from air strikes in eastern Afghanistan.
Afghan lawmakers have also condemned civilian casualties in last week's
U.S.-led coalition air raid in Nuristan province.
On Monday a
suicide bomb attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul killed 41 people and
wounded more than 150 others. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Wednesday said he had no evidence foreign agents were involved in the
attack. Afghan officials this week suggested Pakistan's government was
involved.
Separately Wednesday, U.S. Marine Colonel Peter
Petronzio said his troops have killed 400 insurgents in southern
Helmand province since launching an operation against them three months
ago.
And the head of Afghanistan's Independent Election
Commission, Aziz Lodin told reporters today the presidential election
planned for 2009 could be postponed if the security situation in the
country does not improve.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
